I’m sitting here with memories
Reading letters from old friends
Dreaming I am back with those pals of mine
In the good times once again
I see the mountain trail we used to ride
The Murray River flowing
Where once stood the homestead of my youth In the days of old Khancoban
Memories, sweet memories
Of the days when we were younger
We’d ride a hundred miles for a lady’s smile
To a dance at Tumbarumba
I hear the haunting strains of
Hobble chains and bells on cattle roamin'
As down the Toolong track I ride
Going home to old Khancoban
Hoof beats echo down the range
From brumbies on the run
White faced cattle string along through mist and morning sun
Where the Geehi River meets the Murray
With the song that never ends
Like the everlasting mateship there
In the handshake of a friend
Memories, sweet memories
Of the songs we sang together
We were mustering then with the best of men
And shared their saddle leather
What a welcome sight
When we were riding back
To the homestead fire glowin'
Through the dark of the night
To see that guiding light
Of home in old Khancoban
Through the dark of the night
To see that guiding light
Of home in old Khancoban
In 1989 Smoky and I recorded the original version of this song.. and we won our first Golden Guitar with it.
It take me back to the days of my youth as a stockman in Tom Groggin Station down the Alpine Way from Khancoban.
Smoky was my friend and mentor, he was one of the finest writers of evocative bush verse .. the real McCoy.
I have recorded my own version and tribute to Smoky and,, our days in old Khancoban! TREVOR KNIGHT